EP1008280A1 - Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to pcmcia standards - Google Patents

Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to pcmcia standards

Info

Publication number
EP1008280A1
EP1008280A1 EP99925031A EP99925031A EP1008280A1 EP 1008280 A1 EP1008280 A1 EP 1008280A1 EP 99925031 A EP99925031 A EP 99925031A EP 99925031 A EP99925031 A EP 99925031A EP 1008280 A1 EP1008280 A1 EP 1008280A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chip card
cover plate
base plate
unit according
card
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99925031A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1008280B1 (en
Inventor
Dieter Klatt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stocko Contact GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Stocko Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stocko Contact GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Stocko Contact GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP1008280A1 publication Critical patent/EP1008280A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1008280B1 publication Critical patent/EP1008280B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
    • H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
    • H05K5/0265—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of PCMCIA type
    • H05K5/0269—Card housings therefor, e.g. covers, frames, PCB
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07737—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier consisting of two or more mechanically separable parts
    • G06K19/07741—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier consisting of two or more mechanically separable parts comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0013—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers
    • G06K7/0021—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/72—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/722—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits
    • H01R12/725—Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures coupling devices mounted on the edge of the printed circuits containing contact members presenting a contact carrying strip, e.g. edge-like strip
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6582—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies, in particular according to the PCMCIA standard, with a plug-in card-shaped housing which has a base plate and a cover plate which is congruent at least in the transverse direction, between which a slot-like insertion channel opening at an end face of the housing for receiving a chip card is formed, and which is provided on the opposite end face with a connector strip, and with a circuit board arranged parallel to the insertion channel in the housing, which is electrically connected to the connector strip and is provided on its surface with a contact field for contacting the chip card.
  • Carrier elements according to the PCMCIA standard are frequently encountered, which are cards that have a standard matrix-like connecting strip and can accommodate a wide variety of electronic components depending on the intended use. Cards of this type are used, for example, as memory expansion cards, drive cards, modem cards and the like.
  • the connection to a data processing system, such as a notebook takes place via the connector strip, which brings about mechanical and electrical contacting with a PCMCIA slot of the data processing system.
  • Chip cards that have an IC circuit and have flatly arranged contact fields for contacting, for example, appropriately designed reading units are widespread.
  • Known areas of application for chip cards are currently telephone cards, authorization cards or so-called smart cards.
  • the readers are considerably longer than the standardized PCMCIA cards and protrude in the operating position with the expansion area from the slot, for example a notebook, so that there is a risk that the contacting unit is jammed or even bent in the slot and mobile is damaged.
  • the expansion area has so far been considered necessary to ensure secure guidance of the chip card into and out of the slot-like insertion channel without the risk of tilting, ultimately to ensure the insertion, locking and removal of a chip card.
  • the invention is based on the object of developing a contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies in such a way that it can be fully inserted into a PCMCIA slot of a computer without any parts protruding, and at the same time ensures safe insertion guidance and sufficient mechanical stability with simple manufacture remains.
  • a contacting unit of the type mentioned at the outset in that the insertion channel is continuously open on both sides over its entire length in the insertion direction of the chip card, and in that the base plate and the cover plate are fixed only in the region adjoining the insertion channel in the insertion direction are interconnected.
  • the features of the invention make it possible to provide a contacting unit, the length and width of which correspond exactly to the PCMCIA standard, for example Type II, and which can be used in full in the PCMCIA slot of a computer, for example notebooks, without any parts sticking out. Due to the full retractability, a risk of damage, in particular during transport, can be excluded, and a protective flap can also be provided, which closes the PCMCIA slot when the contacting unit is inserted. In this case, it is of course not possible to leave a chip card in the contacting unit, since this protrudes from the contacting unit in the inserted state in accordance with the length of the region adjoining the insertion channel.
  • connection of the base plate and cover plate in the area adjoining the insertion channel in the insertion direction also represents a pivot axis, with respect to which the base plate and the cover plate can be pivoted to a small extent relative to one another in such a way that the height of the insertion channel counteracts the effect of a restoring force can be changed.
  • This offers the advantage that the chip cards can be kept clamped when inserted into the insertion channel. It is particularly advantageous for this if the height of the insertion channel decreases with increasing distance from the connection when the chip card is removed. When the chip card is inserted into the insertion channel, the latter is then expanded and the chip card is securely locked in the insertion channel due to the elastic reshaping involved. At the same time, a high dimensional stability of the contacting unit and a compensation of manufacturing-related tolerances can be achieved in this way.
  • the metal strip serves on the one hand to hold the circuit board in the housing at the same level and on the other hand for a mass transition to the circuit board. With regard to the latter, it is necessary that the metal strip is connected to ground contact surfaces of the circuit board.
  • the metal strip is arranged on a plastic profile which is connected to the cover plate and forms an upper insertion guide for the chip card.
  • the plastic profile can be provided with bevels for a chip card on its side facing the insertion channel and can be connected to the metal strip by, for example, jamming, gluing or latching.
  • At least one spring element is provided in the insertion channel, one end of which is firmly connected to the cover plate and the other, free end of which can be detachably fixed to the base plate.
  • the spring element has several tasks. When the chip card is removed, the spring element secures a constant height of the insertion channel against the effect of the restoring force, so that the Simply insert the chip card. Since the free end of the spring element can be releasably attached to the base plate, the insertion channel is also protected against widening outwards. This gives the contact unit additional dimensional stability.
  • the spring element is advantageously made in one piece with the metal strip and, when the chip card is inserted, extends through cutouts in the printed circuit board through to the cover plate, so that the chip card and the metal cover plate are conductively connected to one another, as a result of which static charging of the chip card can be avoided.
  • a ground connection between cover plate, printed circuit board and base plate can also be achieved when the chip card is removed.
  • the metal strip and the spring element can be inexpensively manufactured by means of punching and bending as tape goods and fastened in one operation to the cover plate or the plastic profile forming the upper insertion guide by means of caulking, gluing, welding or ultrasonic welding.
  • the spring element is expediently approximately S-shaped and is provided at its free end with a claw-shaped extension which engages in a correspondingly designed latching element to fix the spring element. It is advantageous for this, according to a further feature of the invention, to provide the catch element with an undercut in which the claw-shaped extension of the spring element is detachably held.
  • the latching element is formed in a reinforcement plate made of plastic or metal and connected to the base plate. While a reinforcement plate made of plastic can be connected to the metal base plate by injection molding, a metal reinforcement plate can be attached to the base plate by welding or gluing.
  • the latching element is advantageously inserted as a separate component in the reinforcing plate or is formed as a recess in the at least single-layer reinforcing plate.
  • the undercut of the locking element can be made by punching or embossing one layer Reinforcement plate or by staggering two superimposed, provided with openings reinforcement plates.
  • the latching element is designed as a separate component, it is expedient to insert it prefabricated into an opening in the reinforcing plate and to press it.
  • the base plate is provided at its end opposite the connector strip with a plastic profile serving as a lower insertion guide in order to ensure easy insertion of a chip card.
  • the plastic profile can be provided with bevels analogous to the upper slide-in guide.
  • the base plate and the cover plate on the connector strip for their detection are each provided with plastic holders arranged at the edges, which can be firmly connected to one another by a plastic connection, such as gluing, ultrasonic welding or hot pressing.
  • a plastic connection such as gluing, ultrasonic welding or hot pressing.
  • the base plate and the cover plate can be congruent and welded to one another on side welding tabs. It is particularly advantageous for this if the length of the fixed connection of the base plate and cover plate is approximately 30% of the total length of the contacting unit, because the contacting unit is then highly dimensionally stable.
  • a limit switch with a stop angle be provided to limit the insertion movement of the chip card.
  • the insertion movement of the chip card can also be limited by the side welding tabs or the plastic holders then provided with appropriately designed stop curves.
  • FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the contact unit according to FIG. 1 with the chip card inserted
  • FIG. 2 shows the individual parts of the contact unit according to FIG. 1 in the form of expanded and pulled apart housing shells and the internal assembly in a perspective view;
  • FIG. 3 shows the individual parts of the contacting unit according to FIG. 2 in an intermediate assembly stage
  • 3a shows an exploded perspective view of the fastening of a metal strip to a plastic profile
  • FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the fastening of the metal strip according to FIG. 3a to a printed circuit board;
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the contact unit according to FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4a shows a schematic side view of the contacting unit according to FIG. 1a;
  • Figure 5 shows the individual parts of an alternative embodiment of a contacting unit in the form of expanded and pulled apart housing shells and the inner assembly in a perspective view.
  • FIG. 6 shows the individual parts of the contacting device according to FIG. 5 in an intermediate assembly stage
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the contact unit according to FIG. 5 with the chip card and not inserted
  • FIG. 7a is a schematic side view according to FIG. 6 with the chip card inserted.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a contacting unit 1 designed as a chip card reader, which is intended to be contacted with a notebook via a standard PCMCIA interface.
  • the contact unit 1 consists of a two-shell outer housing 2 with a base plate 3, a PCMCIA connection field in the form of a connector strip 4 with 68 poles at the front end in the direction of insertion into the notebook according to the arrow, an upper and lower insertion guide 5, 5a at the opposite end for the introduction of a chip card 9, for example according to ISO 78 16, and a cover plate 6 which extends parallel and at a distance from the base plate 3 and which is rigidly connected to the base plate 3 in the region of the connector strip 4.
  • the parts of the contacting unit 1 mentioned are carried by the internal plastic profile elements made of PCB shown in FIGS.
  • Fig. 2 shows the two individual shells of the outer housing 1, namely the base plate 3 in a perspective view of the inside and the cover plate 6, virtually opened by 180 °, also in a perspective view of the inside.
  • Base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are sheet metal parts which can be handled separately and are not connected to one another, with inwardly bent staples 12 on the long sides 13, 14 and the front end 15 in the insertion direction, while the front end side in the insertion direction remains free in order to later arrange the connector strip 4 there can.
  • the base plate 3 is provided with a welded-in reinforcing plate 16, which makes it possible to use an extremely thin housing plate of approximately 2/10 mm thick.
  • a reinforcing plate 16 made of metal, one made of plastic Can be used that can be produced in a single process step with other plastic parts described below by injection molding.
  • the staples 12 have an L-shape and it is intended to punch them out of the sheet metal of the base plate 3 or cover plate 6, to bend them upwards by 90 ° out of the plane and then to make a further bend inwards by 90 °, so that a free leg projecting into the later interior of the contacting unit 1 parallel to the base plate 3 and cover plate 6 on the clamps 12 is present, which represents a particularly favorable holder for a plastic encapsulation of the clamps 12 described below.
  • the number and arrangement of the staples 12 on the base and cover plate 3, 6 are coordinated with one another in the sense of achieving a torsionally rigid housing, it having proven to be expedient to provide a plurality of staples 12 on the cover plate 6 while on the base plate 3, the plastic insert part 18 forming the lower slide-in guide 5a is held with cramps 12 on the end face 15 and with hooks 17.
  • the hooks 17 are also punched out of the sheet material of the base plate 3 and bent up and bent inward in an L-shape.
  • Fig. 2 also shows the plastic profiles used for the internal assembly of the contacting unit 1, which, however, in the preferred embodiment are not manufactured separately and inserted into the housing, but are produced in a single process step in an injection molding process in conjunction with the corresponding metal parts of the housing.
  • plastic holders 19, 20 are provided for holding the connector strip 4, which are simultaneously designed as axial stops for limiting the insertion of the chip card 9 with correspondingly rounded stop surfaces 24.
  • the plastic holders 19 correspond to correspondingly shaped holders 25, 26 at the free ends of a U-shaped plastic frame 27 belonging to the cover plate 6, which on its closed side is one as the upper one Insert guide 5 has formed bar 28, which is provided with a platform-like depression 21 for fastening a metal bar 22.
  • the longitudinal legs of the plastic frame 27 have an inward open guide in the form of a gradation 29 for the detection and holding of the printed circuit board 7, which is fixed in the assembled state by the plastic frame 27, the holders 25, 26 together with the plastic holders 19, 20 serve to fix the connector strip 4 connected to the printed circuit board 7.
  • the plastic elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are also provided with various positioning projections and recesses 30 which serve for positioning.
  • the circuit board 7 drawn next to it is arranged on the cover plate 6 such that it is folded by 180 so that on the front side the cams 31 which can be seen laterally on the connector strip 4 engage in the corresponding recesses in the plastic holders 25, 26 and on the opposite side ground contact surfaces 23 of the circuit board 7 are flush with clamping contacts 32 of the mat strip 22 can be pushed.
  • the base plate 3 is folded 180 ° assigned to the cover plate 6.
  • the insertion channel 8 is formed between the base plate 3 and the cover plate 6 with the printed circuit board 7, which remains free for the insertion of the chip card 9 and enables the chip field 11 to be contacted via the contact field 11 'with the PCMCIA card.
  • the base plate 3 and the circuit board 7 in FIGS. 2 and 3 are not shown in the assembly position, but rather are opened by 180 ° in order to allow a view into the interior. It can be seen that the cover plate 6 is assigned to the U-shaped plastic frame 27, which is held on the cover plate 6 by the corresponding clamps 12 and onto which the base plate 3 prepared in the manner described is placed after assembly with the printed circuit board 7.
  • FIG. 3 already shows the correct arrangement of the plastic elements on the base plate 3 or cover plate 6, whereby it can be seen that the cramps 12 can no longer be seen.
  • the base plate 3 or the cover plate 6 are provided separately in a second process step with the plastic holders 19, 20 and the plastic profile part 18 on the one hand or the plastic frame 27 on the other hand by an injection molding process in the form of a composite unit;
  • the printed circuit board 7 with its connector strip 4 is then folded onto the cover plate 6 from above and positioned on the metal strip 22 and the plastic holders 25, 26 and in a final process step the housing shells, which have been pre-assembled in this way, are arranged on one another with internal plastic elements and by means of a plastic connection
  • 3a and 3b show the assembly of the metal strip 22 on the one hand with the upper slide-in guide 5 and on the other hand with the circuit board 7.
  • the clamp-like clamping contacts 32 of the metal strip 22 are locked on the ground contact surfaces 23 of the circuit board 7.
  • spring elements 33 formed in one piece on the metal strip 22 engage in recesses 34 in the printed circuit board 7, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3b.
  • the metal strip 22 is also provided with bores 35 and ground contact springs 36.
  • the bores 35 cooperate with correspondingly formed pins 37 on the depression 21 of the strip 28, as a result of which the metal strip 22 and thus the printed circuit board 7 connected to the metal strip 22 via the clamping contacts 32 are centered on the cover plate 6.
  • the metal strip 22 is fixed by subsequent ultrasonic welding.
  • FIG. 4 and 4a show the mode of operation of the spring elements 33 formed in one piece with the metal strip 22.
  • Fig. 4 shows the contacting unit 1 when the chip card 9 is not inserted, while in Fig. 4a it can be seen that the chip card 9 is inserted up to a limit switch with stop angle 38 in the insertion channel 8, the chip field 11 of the chip card 9 on the contact field 11 'of the circuit board 7 comes to rest.
  • the spring element 33 has an essentially S-shaped shape and is provided at its free end with a claw-shaped extension 39 which, when the chip card 9 is not inserted, engages under pretension in a latching element 40 designed as a recess in the reinforcing plate 16.
  • a latching element 40 designed as a recess in the reinforcing plate 16.
  • the locking element 40 has an undercut, which ensures that the spring element 33 is locked.
  • the cover plate 6 and the base plate 3 are connected by the plastic holder 19, 20, 25, 26 in such a way that they are subject to a clamp-like force.
  • the spring element 33 ensures that the height of the insertion channel 8 remains unchanged, as a result of which the chip card 9 can be easily inserted. If the chip card 9 is inserted into the insertion channel 8, the front end of the chip card 9 in the insertion direction presses the spring element 33 in the direction of the cover plate, the spring element 33 being pressed against the metal cover plate 6 by the recess 34 in the printed circuit board 7.
  • the chip card 9 can be inserted into the insertion channel 8 up to the limit switch 38 and is locked in a clamping manner due to the inherent tension inherent in the base and cover plates 3, 6.
  • the spring element 33 presses on the chip card 9, so that reliable contacting of the chip field 11 and contact field 11 'is ensured.
  • the spring element 33 pivots again into the latching element 40, as a result of which a ground connection between the metal strip 22 or cover plate 6 and base plate 3 is simultaneously established.
  • the alternative embodiment of the contacting unit 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7a additionally has welding tabs 41 in the region adjoining the insertion channel 8 on the base plate 3 and cover plate 6, by means of which base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are connected to one another and the clamp-like internal stress the contacting unit 1 is achieved.
  • the metal strip 22 is designed without the spring element 33, so that when the chip card 9 is removed, the insertion channel 8 of the contacting unit 1 extends from the welding tabs 41, which also serve as the pivot axis, in the direction of the upper and lower insertion guides 5, 5a tapered.
  • the insertion channel 8 When the chip card 9 is inserted, the insertion channel 8 is expanded to generate a restoring force, as a result of which the chip card 9 is held in the insertion channel 8 in a clamping manner.
  • the welding tabs 41 are cranked on the cover plate 6.
  • the plastic holder 19, 20, 25 and 26 can be welded together in a known manner.
  • the reinforcing plate 16 can be provided with an insulating film or element 42, which in particular for It comes into play when the reinforcing plate 16 is made of metal, so that a short circuit between the oppositely arranged contact field 11 'of the printed circuit board 7 and the reinforcing plate 16 can be excluded.
  • a wear-resistant insulating film can be applied to the underside of the circuit board 7, which prevents abrasion of the chip card 9 and at the same time insulates the conductor tracks and plated-through holes of the circuit board 7 on the side facing the insertion channel 8.
  • the latching element 40 can also be formed as a separate component which is pressed into recesses in the reinforcing plate 16.
  • the lower insertion guide 5a can also be designed in the form of a lower lip with respect to the upper insertion guide 5 in the insertion direction of the chip card 9.
  • a chip card reader is created which, when the chip card is not inserted, corresponds exactly to the PCMCIA dimensions and has reliable contact and sufficient mechanical stability.
  • Security is also increased in that cover plate 6 and base plate 3 are congruent so that when inserted into the PCMCIA slot of a computer base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are guided in the lateral guide grooves of the PCMCIA slot. This prevents the cover plate 6 from being forcibly bent up or down relative to the base plate 3 into an adjacent PCMCIA slot of the computer.
  • the metal design of the base plate 3 and cover plate 6 also ensures that the contacting unit 1 is shielded and has a high degree of functional and dimensional stability even at high accumulation and ambient temperatures above 100.degree. Last but not least, the contacting unit 1 is also characterized by simple and inexpensive manufacture. Reference list

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Mounting Of Printed Circuit Boards And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to PCMCIA standards, comprising a plug-in card-shaped housing (2) which has a base plate (3) and a cover plate (6) that is congruent in at least a transverse direction. A slot-like plug-in channel (8) which opens on a face of the housing (2) and which is provided for accommodating a chip card (9) is configured between the base plate and the cover plate. In addition, said housing is provided with a plug-in connector strip (4) on the face opposite the chip card. The contacting unit also comprises a printed board (7) which is arranged parallel to the plug-in channel (8) in the housing (2) and which is electrically connected to the plug-in connector strip (4). Said printed board is provided, on the surface thereof, with a contact field for contacting the chip card (9). The plug-in channel (8) is continuously open on both sides over the entire length thereof in the direction in which the chip card (9) is plugged in. In addition, the base plate (3) and the cover plate (6) are exclusively joined to one another in a tight manner in the area which connects to the plug-in channel (8) in a plug-in direction.

Description

Kontaktiereinheit für ein kartenförmiges Trägerelement elektronischer Baugruppen, insbesondere nach PCMCIA-NormContact unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies, in particular according to the PCMCIA standard
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Kontaktiereinheit für ein kartenförmiges Trägerelement elektronischer Baugruppen, insbesondere nach PCMCIA-Norm, mit einem steckkartenförmigen Gehäuse, das eine Basisplatte und eine zumindest in Querrichtung deckungsgleiche Abdeckplatte aufweist, zwischen denen ein an einer Stirnseite des Gehäuses mündender, schlitzartiger Einschubkanal für die Aufnahme einer Chipkarte ausgebildet ist, und das an der dieser gegenüberliegenden Stirnseite mit einer Steckverbinderleiste versehen ist, und mit einer parallel zum Einschubkanal im Gehäuse angeordneten Leiterplatte, die elektrisch mit der Steckverbinderleiste verbunden und an ihrer Oberfläche mit einem Kontaktfeld für die Kontaktierung der Chipkarte versehen ist.The invention relates to a contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies, in particular according to the PCMCIA standard, with a plug-in card-shaped housing which has a base plate and a cover plate which is congruent at least in the transverse direction, between which a slot-like insertion channel opening at an end face of the housing for receiving a chip card is formed, and which is provided on the opposite end face with a connector strip, and with a circuit board arranged parallel to the insertion channel in the housing, which is electrically connected to the connector strip and is provided on its surface with a contact field for contacting the chip card.
Im Rahmen zunehmender Miniaturisierung im Bereich der Computertechnologie werden elektronische Bauteile im Hinblick auf Variabilität und Transportabilität immer öfter auf oder in kartenförmigen Trägerelementen angeordnet. Häufig anzutreffen sind Trägerelemente nach der PCMCIA-Norm, bei denen es sich um Karten handelt, die eine normgemäße matrixartige Verbindungsleiste aufweisen und je nach Verwendungszweck die unterschiedlichsten elektronischen Bauteile aufnehmen können. So finden derartige Karten beispielsweise als Speichererweiterungskarten, Laufwerkskarten, Modemkarten und dergleichen eine Anwendung. Der Anschluß an ein Datenverarbeitungssystem, wie beispielsweise ein Notebook, erfolgt über die Steckverbinderleiste, die mit einem PCMCIA- Steckplatz des Datenverarbeitungssystems eine mechanische und elektrische Kontaktierung bewirkt. Weitverbreitet sind Chipkarten, die über eine IC-Schaltkreis verfügen und flächig angeordnete Kontaktfelder für die Kontaktierung mit beispielsweise entsprechend ausgebildeten Leseeinheiten aufweisen. Bekannte Anwendungsgebiete für Chipkarten sind derzeit Telefonkarten, Autorisierungskarten oder sogenannte Smart-Cards.In the context of increasing miniaturization in the field of computer technology, electronic components are increasingly being arranged on or in card-shaped carrier elements with regard to variability and portability. Carrier elements according to the PCMCIA standard are frequently encountered, which are cards that have a standard matrix-like connecting strip and can accommodate a wide variety of electronic components depending on the intended use. Cards of this type are used, for example, as memory expansion cards, drive cards, modem cards and the like. The connection to a data processing system, such as a notebook, takes place via the connector strip, which brings about mechanical and electrical contacting with a PCMCIA slot of the data processing system. Chip cards that have an IC circuit and have flatly arranged contact fields for contacting, for example, appropriately designed reading units are widespread. Known areas of application for chip cards are currently telephone cards, authorization cards or so-called smart cards.
Im Stand der Technik sind Kontaktiereinheiten bekannt, die es ermöglichen, eine Chipkarte an einen nach PCMCIA-Standard genormten Anschluß eines Datenverarbeitungssystemes anzuschließen. Die Kombination einer PCMCIA- Karte und einer Chipkarten-Kontaktiereinheit, die in einen entsprechenden Modulaufnahmeschlitz eines Computer eingeschoben und gelesen werden kann, ist für verschiedenste Anwendungen anzutreffen, beispielsweise Electronic- Banking, Pay-TV, Sicherung einer Zugangsberechtigung zu Datennetzen und ähnliches. Nachteilig hierbei ist, daß die bekannten Chipkartenleser dieser Art sich eine über den Einschubbereich des Modulaufnahmeschlitzes des Computers hinaus erstreckende Gehäuseerweiterung in Form einer vergrößerten Einschubführung für die Chipkarte, die gleichzeitig eine Handhabungsleiste für den Benutzer darstellt, aufweisen. Hierdurch werden die Lesegeräte erheblich länger als die normierten PCMCIA-Karten und ragen in der Betriebsstellung mit dem Erweiterungsbereich aus dem Aufnahmeschlitz, beispielsweise eines Notebooks, hinaus, so daß die Gefahr besteht, daß in der mobilen Handhabung die Kontaktiereinheit im Schlitz verklemmt oder gar verbogen und beschädigt wird. Der Erweiterungsbereich wurde bislang für notwendig befunden, um eine sichere Führung der Chipkarte in den schlitzartigen Einschubkanal hinein und heraus ohne die Gefahr eines Verkantens zu gewährleisten, letztlich also um die Einführung, Arretierung und Entnahme einer Chipkarte zu gewährleisten.Contacting units are known in the prior art which make it possible to connect a chip card to a connection of a data processing system standardized according to the PCMCIA standard. The combination of a PCMCIA card and a chip card contacting unit, which can be inserted and read into a corresponding module slot of a computer, can be found for a wide variety of applications, for example electronic banking, pay TV, securing access authorization to data networks and the like. The disadvantage here is that the known chip card readers of this type have a housing extension in the form of an enlarged slide-in guide for the chip card, which extends beyond the insertion area of the module receiving slot of the computer and which at the same time represents a handling bar for the user. As a result, the readers are considerably longer than the standardized PCMCIA cards and protrude in the operating position with the expansion area from the slot, for example a notebook, so that there is a risk that the contacting unit is jammed or even bent in the slot and mobile is damaged. The expansion area has so far been considered necessary to ensure secure guidance of the chip card into and out of the slot-like insertion channel without the risk of tilting, ultimately to ensure the insertion, locking and removal of a chip card.
Mit der ständig zunehmenden Hinwendung zu transportablen Computern, wie beispielsweise Laptops oder Notebooks, besteht technisch das Bedürfnis, daß ein in Betriebsbereitschaftsposition befindlicher Chipkartenleser vollständig in den Aufnahmeschlitz des Computers einschiebbar ist, ohne daß herausstehende Teile die Handhabung stören. Dies kommt beispielsweise dann zum Tragen, wenn mit einer einzuschiebenden Chipkarte die persönliche Autorisierung für den Computer vorzunehmen ist. Es sind zwar Kontaktiereinheiten bekannt, die keinen Erweiterungsbereich mehr aufweisen und demzufolge in der Länge der PCMCIA- Norm entsprechen, aber mit zumindest teilweise geschlossenen Seitenflächen versehen sind, um eine seitliche Führung der Chipkarte zu erreichen. Eine wesentliche Marktforderung ist allerdings, daß eine Kontaktiereinheit auch in der Breite exakt der PCMCIA-Norm entspricht, so daß selbst Wandstärken von 1/10 mm für die Seitenflächen eine nicht hinnehmbare Abweichung von der PCMCIA- Norm darstellen. Ein weiterer Nachteil sehr dünnwandiger Seitenflächen besteht darin, daß beim geringsten Verkanten der Chipkarte beim Einführen in die Kontaktiereinheit die Seitenflächen klingenartig die Chipkarte beschädigen können. Ein zusätzlicher Nachteil ergibt sich, wenn die dünnen Seitenflächen deformiert werden und dann ein Einführen der Chipkarte nicht mehr möglich ist.With the ever increasing use of portable computers, such as laptops or notebooks, there is a technical need for a chip card reader which is in the ready position to be fully insertable into the receiving slot of the computer without protruding parts interfering with handling. This comes into play, for example, when personal authorization for the computer has to be carried out with a chip card to be inserted. Contacting units are known which no longer have an expansion area and therefore correspond in length to the PCMCIA standard, but with at least partially closed side faces are provided in order to achieve lateral guidance of the chip card. An essential market requirement, however, is that a contacting unit also corresponds exactly in width to the PCMCIA standard, so that even wall thicknesses of 1/10 mm represent an unacceptable deviation from the PCMCIA standard for the side surfaces. Another disadvantage of very thin-walled side surfaces is that if the chip card is tilted slightly when inserted into the contacting unit, the side surfaces can damage the chip card in a blade-like manner. An additional disadvantage arises when the thin side surfaces are deformed and the chip card can then no longer be inserted.
Der Erfindung liegt die A u f g a b e zugrunde, eine Kontaktiereinheit für ein kartenförmiges Tägerelement elektronischer Baugruppen dahingehend weiterzubilden, daß diese in einen PCMCIA-Schlitz eines Computers vollständig einschiebbar ist, ohne daß Teile herausragen, und zugleich eine sichere Einschubführung und hinreichende mechanische Stabilität bei einfacher Fertigung gewährleistet bleibt.The invention is based on the object of developing a contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies in such a way that it can be fully inserted into a PCMCIA slot of a computer without any parts protruding, and at the same time ensures safe insertion guidance and sufficient mechanical stability with simple manufacture remains.
Diese Aufgabe ist bei einer Kontaktiereinheit der eingangs genannten Art erfindungsgemäß dadurch g e l ö s t , daß der Einschubkanal über seine gesamte Länge in Einschubrichtung der Chipkarte beidseitig durchgehend offen ist, und daß die Basisplatte und die Abdeckplatte ausschließlich im sich in Einschubrichtung an den Einschubkanal anschließenden Bereich fest miteinander verbunden sind.This object is achieved according to the invention in a contacting unit of the type mentioned at the outset in that the insertion channel is continuously open on both sides over its entire length in the insertion direction of the chip card, and in that the base plate and the cover plate are fixed only in the region adjoining the insertion channel in the insertion direction are interconnected.
Durch die erfindungsgemäßen Merkmale ist es möglich, eine Kontaktiereinheit bereitzustellen, deren Länge und Breite exakt der PCMCIA-Norm, beispielsweise Typ II, entspricht und die in vollem Umfang in PCMCIA-Schlitz eines Computers, beispielsweise Notebooks, einsetzbar ist, ohne daß Teile herausstehen. Durch die volle Versenkbarkeit läßt sich eine Beschädigungsgefahr, insbesondere beim Transport, ausschließen, wobei zusätzlich auch eine Schutzklappe vorgesehen sein kann, die den PCMCIA-Schlitz bei eingeschobener Kontaktiereinheit verschließt. In diesem Fall ist es freilich nicht möglich, eine Chipkarte in der Kontaktiereinheit zu lassen, da diese entsprechend der Länge des sich an den Einschubkanal anschließenden Bereiches im eingeschobenen Zustand aus der Kontakiereinheit heraussteht. In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung stellt die Verbindung von Basisplatte und Abdeckplatte im sich in Einschubrichtung an den Einschubkanal anschließenden Bereich zugleich eine Schwenkachse dar, bezüglich der die Basisplatte und die Abdeckplatte in einem geringen Maße relativ zueinander derart verschwenkbar sind, daß die Höhe des Einschubkanals gegen die Wirkung einer Rückstellkraft veränderbar ist. Dies bietet den Vorteil, daß sich die Chipkarten beim Einschieben in den Einschubkanal klemmend halten läßt. Von besonderem Vorteil hierzu ist es, wenn sich die Höhe des Einschubkanals mit zunehmendem Abstand von der Verbindung bei entfernter Chipkarte verringert. Beim Einschieben der Chipkarte in den Einschubkanal wird dieser dann aufgeweitet und die Chipkarte aufgrund der damit einhergehenden elastischen Rückverformung sicher im Einschubkanal arretiert. Zugleich läßt sich auf diese Weise eine hohe Formstabilität der Kontaktiereinheit und eine Kompensation fertigungsbedingter Toleranzen erzielen.The features of the invention make it possible to provide a contacting unit, the length and width of which correspond exactly to the PCMCIA standard, for example Type II, and which can be used in full in the PCMCIA slot of a computer, for example notebooks, without any parts sticking out. Due to the full retractability, a risk of damage, in particular during transport, can be excluded, and a protective flap can also be provided, which closes the PCMCIA slot when the contacting unit is inserted. In this case, it is of course not possible to leave a chip card in the contacting unit, since this protrudes from the contacting unit in the inserted state in accordance with the length of the region adjoining the insertion channel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection of the base plate and cover plate in the area adjoining the insertion channel in the insertion direction also represents a pivot axis, with respect to which the base plate and the cover plate can be pivoted to a small extent relative to one another in such a way that the height of the insertion channel counteracts the effect of a restoring force can be changed. This offers the advantage that the chip cards can be kept clamped when inserted into the insertion channel. It is particularly advantageous for this if the height of the insertion channel decreases with increasing distance from the connection when the chip card is removed. When the chip card is inserted into the insertion channel, the latter is then expanded and the chip card is securely locked in the insertion channel due to the elastic reshaping involved. At the same time, a high dimensional stability of the contacting unit and a compensation of manufacturing-related tolerances can be achieved in this way.
Von besonderem Vorteil ist es ferner, die Leiterplatte an ihrem der Steckverbinderleiste gegenüberliegenden Ende mit einer die Leiterplatte im Gehäuse festlegenden Metalleiste zu verbinden, die federnd abstehende Lappen aufweist, welche an der metallenen Abdeckplatte elektrisch leitend anliegen. Die Metalleiste dient auf diese Weise einerseits zur niveaugleichen Halterung der Leiterplatte im Gehäuse und andererseits für einen Massenübergang zur Leiterplatte. Hinsichtlich letzterem ist es erforderlich, daß die Metalleiste mit Massekontaktflächen der Leiterplatte verbunden ist. Um eine einfache Montage zu erzielen, ist gemäß einem weiteren Merkmal der Erfindung die Metalleiste an einem mit der Abdeckplatte verbundenen, eine obere Einschubführung für die Chipkarte bildenden Kunststoffprofil angeordnet. Das Kunststoffprofil kann dabei auf seiner dem Einschubkanal zugewandten Seite mit Einfuhrschrägen für eine Chipkarte versehen und durch zum Beispiel Verklemmen, Verkleben oder Verrasten mit der Metalleiste verbunden sein.It is also particularly advantageous to connect the printed circuit board at its end opposite the connector strip to a metal strip which fixes the printed circuit board in the housing and has resiliently projecting tabs which are electrically conductive against the metal cover plate. In this way, the metal strip serves on the one hand to hold the circuit board in the housing at the same level and on the other hand for a mass transition to the circuit board. With regard to the latter, it is necessary that the metal strip is connected to ground contact surfaces of the circuit board. In order to achieve simple assembly, according to a further feature of the invention, the metal strip is arranged on a plastic profile which is connected to the cover plate and forms an upper insertion guide for the chip card. The plastic profile can be provided with bevels for a chip card on its side facing the insertion channel and can be connected to the metal strip by, for example, jamming, gluing or latching.
Gemäß einer weiteren vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist im Einschubkanal zumindest ein Federelement vorgesehen, dessen eines Ende fest mit der Abdeckplatte verbunden und dessen anderes, freies Ende lösbar an der Basisplatte festlegbar ist. Dem Federelement kommen dabei mehrere Aufgaben zu. Bei entfernter Chipkarte sichert das Federelement ein entgegen die Wirkung der Rückstellkraft gleichbleibende Höhe des Einschubkanals, so daß sich die Chipkarte einfach einführen läßt. Indem das freie Ende des Federelements lösbar an der Basisplatte festlegbar ist, wird zugleich der Einschubkanal vor einem Aufweiten nach Außen geschützt. Die Kontaktiereinheit erhält hierdurch eine zusätzliche Formstabilität. Durch das Einführen der Chipkarte wird das freie Ende gelöst und das Federelement im Einschubkanal in Richtung Abdeckplatte gebogen, so daß die Chipkarte aufgrund dieser Federwirkung mit einem die Kontaktsicherheit zusätzlich erhöhenden Druck beaufschlagt wird. Vorteilhafterweise ist das Federelement einstückig mit der Metalleiste gefertigt und erstreckt sich bei eingeschobener Chipkarte durch Aussparungen der Leiterplatte hindurch bis zur Abdeckplatte, so daß Chipkarte und metallene Abdeckplatte leitend miteinander verbunden werden, wodurch sich eine statische Aufladung der Chipkarte vermeiden läßt. Durch das Festlegen des freien Endes des Federeiements an der Basisplatte läßt sich zudem eine Masseverbindung zwischen Abdeckplatte, Leiterplatte und Basisplatte bei entfernter Chipkarte erreichen. Die Metalleiste und das Federelement können durch Stanzen und Biegen als Bandware preisgünstig gefertigt und mittels Verstemmen, Kleben, Schweißen oder einer Ultraschallverschweißung in einem Arbeitsgang an der Abdeckplatte oder dem die obere Einschubführung bildenden Kunststoffprofil befestigt werden.According to a further advantageous development of the invention, at least one spring element is provided in the insertion channel, one end of which is firmly connected to the cover plate and the other, free end of which can be detachably fixed to the base plate. The spring element has several tasks. When the chip card is removed, the spring element secures a constant height of the insertion channel against the effect of the restoring force, so that the Simply insert the chip card. Since the free end of the spring element can be releasably attached to the base plate, the insertion channel is also protected against widening outwards. This gives the contact unit additional dimensional stability. By inserting the chip card, the free end is released and the spring element is bent in the insertion channel in the direction of the cover plate, so that the chip card is subjected to an additional pressure which increases the contact reliability due to this spring action. The spring element is advantageously made in one piece with the metal strip and, when the chip card is inserted, extends through cutouts in the printed circuit board through to the cover plate, so that the chip card and the metal cover plate are conductively connected to one another, as a result of which static charging of the chip card can be avoided. By fixing the free end of the spring element on the base plate, a ground connection between cover plate, printed circuit board and base plate can also be achieved when the chip card is removed. The metal strip and the spring element can be inexpensively manufactured by means of punching and bending as tape goods and fastened in one operation to the cover plate or the plastic profile forming the upper insertion guide by means of caulking, gluing, welding or ultrasonic welding.
Um die Zug-Druck-Wirkung des Federelements zu erzielen, ist das Federelement zweckmäßigerweise annähernd S-förmig ausgebildet und an seinem freien Ende mit einem krallenförmigen Fortsatz versehen, der zum Festlegen des Federelements in ein korrespondierend ausgebildetes Rastelement eingreift. Von Vorteil hierzu ist es, gemäß einem weiteren Merkmal der Erfindung das Rastelement mit einer Hinterschneidung zu versehen, in welcher der krallenförmige Fortsatz des Federelements lösbar gehalten wird. In vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung der Erfindung wird weiterhin vorgeschlagen, daß das Rastelement in einer aus Kunststoff oder Metall bestehenden, mit der Basisplatte verbundenen Verstärkungsplatte ausgebildet ist. Während eine aus Kunststoff bestehende Verstärkungsplatte durch Spritzgießen mit der metallenen Basisplatte verbunden werden kann, läßt sich eine metallene Verstärkungsplatte mittels Schweißen oder Kleben an der Basisplatte befestigen. Vorteilhafterweise ist das Rastelement als separates Bauteil in die Verstärkungsplatte eingesetzt oder als Ausnehmung in der zumindest einlagigen Verstärkungsplatte ausgebildet. Im letzten Fall kann die Hinterschneidung des Rastelements durch Stanzen oder Prägen einer einlagigen Verstärkungsplatte oder durch versetztes Anordnen zweier übereinanderliegenden, mit Öffnungen versehenen Verstärkungsplatten erzeugt werden. Ist das Rastelement hingegen als separates Bauteil ausgebildet, so ist es zweckmäßig, dieses vorgefertigt in eine Öffnung der Verstärkungsplatte einzulegen und zu verpressen.In order to achieve the pull-push effect of the spring element, the spring element is expediently approximately S-shaped and is provided at its free end with a claw-shaped extension which engages in a correspondingly designed latching element to fix the spring element. It is advantageous for this, according to a further feature of the invention, to provide the catch element with an undercut in which the claw-shaped extension of the spring element is detachably held. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is further proposed that the latching element is formed in a reinforcement plate made of plastic or metal and connected to the base plate. While a reinforcement plate made of plastic can be connected to the metal base plate by injection molding, a metal reinforcement plate can be attached to the base plate by welding or gluing. The latching element is advantageously inserted as a separate component in the reinforcing plate or is formed as a recess in the at least single-layer reinforcing plate. In the latter case, the undercut of the locking element can be made by punching or embossing one layer Reinforcement plate or by staggering two superimposed, provided with openings reinforcement plates. If, on the other hand, the latching element is designed as a separate component, it is expedient to insert it prefabricated into an opening in the reinforcing plate and to press it.
Gemäß einem weiteren Merkmal der Erfindung ist die Basisplatte an ihrem der Steckverbinderleiste gegenüberliegenden Ende mit einem als eine untere Einschubführung dienenden Kunststoffprofil versehen, um ein einfaches Einführen einer Chipkarte sicherzustellen. Das Kunststoffprofil kann dabei analog zur oberen Einschubführung mit Einfuhrschrägen versehen sein.According to a further feature of the invention, the base plate is provided at its end opposite the connector strip with a plastic profile serving as a lower insertion guide in order to ensure easy insertion of a chip card. The plastic profile can be provided with bevels analogous to the upper slide-in guide.
In vorteilhafter Ausgestaltung der Erfindung wird ferner vorgeschlagen, daß die Basisplatte und die Abdeckplatte an der Steckverbinderleiste zu deren Erfassung jeweils mit randseitig angeordneten Kunststoffhaltern versehen sind, die durch eine Kunststoffverbindung, wie Kleben, Ultraschallschweißen oder Heißverpressen, fest miteinander verbindbar sind. Auf diese Weise läßt sich die feste Verbindung von Basisplatte und Abdeckplatte erzielen. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann gemäß einem weiteren Merkmal der Erfindung die Basisplatte und die Abdeckplatte deckungsgleich und an seitlichen Schweißlaschen miteinander verschweißt sein. Von besonderem Vorteil hierzu ist es, wenn die Länge der festen Verbindung von Basisplatte und Abdeckplatte in etwa 30% der Gesamtlänge der Kontaktiereinheit beträgt, weil dann eine hohe Formstabilität der Kontaktiereinheit gegeben ist. Schließlich wird vorgeschlagen, daß ein Endschalter mit Anschlagwinkel zur Begrenzung der Einschubbewegung der Chipkarte vorgesehen ist. Je nach Anforderung kann die Einschubbewegung der Chipkarte auch durch die seitlichen Schweißlaschen oder die dann mit entsprechend ausgebildeten Anschlagsrundungen versehenen Kunststoffhaltern begrenzt werden.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is further proposed that the base plate and the cover plate on the connector strip for their detection are each provided with plastic holders arranged at the edges, which can be firmly connected to one another by a plastic connection, such as gluing, ultrasonic welding or hot pressing. In this way, the fixed connection of the base plate and cover plate can be achieved. Alternatively or additionally, according to a further feature of the invention, the base plate and the cover plate can be congruent and welded to one another on side welding tabs. It is particularly advantageous for this if the length of the fixed connection of the base plate and cover plate is approximately 30% of the total length of the contacting unit, because the contacting unit is then highly dimensionally stable. Finally, it is proposed that a limit switch with a stop angle be provided to limit the insertion movement of the chip card. Depending on the requirements, the insertion movement of the chip card can also be limited by the side welding tabs or the plastic holders then provided with appropriately designed stop curves.
Weitere Einzelheiten, Merkmale und Vorteile des Gegenstandes der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung zweier Ausführungsbeispiele, die in den zugehörigen Zeichnungen dargestellt sind, und zwar zeigen im einzelnen: Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Kontaktiereinheit bei nicht eingeschobener Chipkarte;Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention result from the following description of two exemplary embodiments, which are shown in the associated drawings, and in particular show: 1 is a perspective view of a contacting unit when the chip card is not inserted;
Fig. 1a eine perspektivische Ansicht der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 1 bei eingeschobener Chipkarte;FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the contact unit according to FIG. 1 with the chip card inserted;
Fig. 2 die Einzelteile der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 1 in Form aufgeklappt und auseinandergezogen dargestellter Gehäuseschalen sowie der inneren Bestückung in perspektivischer Ansicht;FIG. 2 shows the individual parts of the contact unit according to FIG. 1 in the form of expanded and pulled apart housing shells and the internal assembly in a perspective view;
Fig. 3 die Einzelteile der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 2 in einem Montage- Zwischenstadium;3 shows the individual parts of the contacting unit according to FIG. 2 in an intermediate assembly stage;
Fig. 3a eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Befestigung einer Metalleiste an ein Kunststoffprofil;3a shows an exploded perspective view of the fastening of a metal strip to a plastic profile;
Fig. 3b eine perspektivische Darstellung der Befestigung der Metalleiste gemäß Fig. 3a an eine Leiterplatte;3b is a perspective view of the fastening of the metal strip according to FIG. 3a to a printed circuit board;
Fig. 4 eine schematische Seitenansicht der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 1 ;FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of the contact unit according to FIG. 1;
Fig. 4a eine schematische Seitenansicht der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 1a;4a shows a schematic side view of the contacting unit according to FIG. 1a;
Fig. 5 die Einzelteile einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Kontaktiereinheit in Form aufgeklappt und auseinandergezogen dargestellter Gehäuseschalen sowie der inneren Bestückung in perspektivischer Ansicht;Figure 5 shows the individual parts of an alternative embodiment of a contacting unit in the form of expanded and pulled apart housing shells and the inner assembly in a perspective view.
Fig. 6 die Einzelteile der Kontaktiervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 5 in einem Montage-Zwischenstadium;6 shows the individual parts of the contacting device according to FIG. 5 in an intermediate assembly stage;
Fig. 7 eine schematische Seitenansicht der Kontaktiereinheit gemäß Fig. 5 bei nicht eingeschobener Chipkarte undFIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the contact unit according to FIG. 5 with the chip card and not inserted
Fig. 7a eine schematische Seitenansicht gemäß Fig. 6 bei eingeschobener Chipkarte. Das in Fig. 1 der Zeichnung dargestellte Ausführungsbeispiei der Erfindung zeigt eine als Chipkartenleser ausgebildete Kontaktiereinheit 1 , die vorgesehen ist, über eine normgemäße PCMCIA-Schnittstelle mit einem Notebook kontaktiert zu werden. Die Kontaktiereinheit 1 besteht aus einem zweischaligen Außengehäuse 2 mit einer Basisplatte 3, einem PCMCIA-Anschlußfeld in Form einer Steckverbinderleiste 4 mit 68 Polen an dem in Einschubrichtung in das Notebook gemäß Pfeil vorderen Ende, eine obere und untere Einschubführung 5, 5a am gegenüberliegenden Ende für die Einführung einer Chipkarte 9 zum Beispiel nach ISO 78 16 und einer parallel mit Abstand zur Basisplatte 3 sich erstreckenden Abdeckplatte 6, welche mit der Basisplatte 3 im Bereich der Steckverbinderleiste 4 starr verbunden ist. Die genannten Teile der Kontaktiereinheit 1 werden von den in den Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellten innenliegenden Kunststoffprofilelementen aus PCB getragen, die darüber hinaus eine PCMCIA-Leiterplatte 7 mit Abstand parallel zur Basisplatte 3 derart halten, daß dazwischen ein Einschubkanal 8 für die ISO 78 16 Chipkarte 9 gebildet wird, die über einen Einschubschlitz 10 zwischen den Einschubführungen 5, 5a in die Kontaktiereinheit 1 einschiebbar ist. Die Chipkarte 9 läßt sich in Richtung des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Doppelpfeils in die Kontaktiereinheit 1 einschieben und aus dieser wieder herausziehen, wobei sich über das auf der Oberfläche angeordnete Chipfeld 11 der Chipkarte 9 und ein Kontaktfeld 11' auf der Unterseite der PCMCIA-Leiterplatte 7 eine Kontaktierung vornehmen läßt, die eine Verarbeitung der Chipkarte 9 über die PCMCIA-Karte ermöglicht, wenn die Kontaktiereinheit 1 in den Einschubschlitz des Notebooks eingesetzt und mit dessen PCMCIA-Schnittstelle über die Steckverbinderleiste 4 verbunden ist.7a is a schematic side view according to FIG. 6 with the chip card inserted. The exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a contacting unit 1 designed as a chip card reader, which is intended to be contacted with a notebook via a standard PCMCIA interface. The contact unit 1 consists of a two-shell outer housing 2 with a base plate 3, a PCMCIA connection field in the form of a connector strip 4 with 68 poles at the front end in the direction of insertion into the notebook according to the arrow, an upper and lower insertion guide 5, 5a at the opposite end for the introduction of a chip card 9, for example according to ISO 78 16, and a cover plate 6 which extends parallel and at a distance from the base plate 3 and which is rigidly connected to the base plate 3 in the region of the connector strip 4. The parts of the contacting unit 1 mentioned are carried by the internal plastic profile elements made of PCB shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which also hold a PCMCIA circuit board 7 at a distance parallel to the base plate 3 in such a way that an insertion channel 8 for ISO 78 16 Chip card 9 is formed, which can be inserted into the contacting unit 1 via an insertion slot 10 between the insertion guides 5, 5a. The chip card 9 can be pushed in the direction of the double arrow shown in FIG. 1 into the contacting unit 1 and pulled out of it again, with the chip card 11 arranged on the surface of the chip card 9 and a contact field 11 'on the underside of the PCMCIA circuit board 7 can make a contact, which enables processing of the chip card 9 via the PCMCIA card if the contacting unit 1 is inserted into the insertion slot of the notebook and is connected to its PCMCIA interface via the connector strip 4.
Fig. 2 zeigt die zwei einzelnen Schalen des Außengehäuses 1 , nämlich die Basisplatte 3 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht auf die Innenseite und die Abdeckplatte 6, quasi um 180° aufgeklappt, ebenfalls in einer perspektivischen Ansicht auf die Innenseite. Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 sind separat handhabbare, nicht miteinander verbundene Blechteile mit nach innen gebogenen Krampen 12 an den Längsseiten 13, 14 und der in Einschubrichtung hinteren Stirnseite 15, während die in Einschubrichtung vordere Stirnseite frei bleibt, um dort später die Steckverbinderleiste 4 anordnen zu können. In dem in Fig. 2 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Basisplatte 3 mit einer eingeschweißten Verstärkungsplatte 16 versehen, die es ermöglicht, ein außerordentlich dünnes Gehäuseblech von etwa 2/10 mm Stärke zu verwenden. Es sei angemerkt, daß anstelle einer Verstärkungsplatte 16 aus Metall auch eine solche aus Kunststoff Verwendung finden kann, die in einem einzigen Verfahrensschritt mit anderen, weiter unten beschriebenen Kunststoffteilen durch Spritzgießen hergestellt werden kann.Fig. 2 shows the two individual shells of the outer housing 1, namely the base plate 3 in a perspective view of the inside and the cover plate 6, virtually opened by 180 °, also in a perspective view of the inside. Base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are sheet metal parts which can be handled separately and are not connected to one another, with inwardly bent staples 12 on the long sides 13, 14 and the front end 15 in the insertion direction, while the front end side in the insertion direction remains free in order to later arrange the connector strip 4 there can. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the base plate 3 is provided with a welded-in reinforcing plate 16, which makes it possible to use an extremely thin housing plate of approximately 2/10 mm thick. It should be noted that instead of a reinforcing plate 16 made of metal, one made of plastic Can be used that can be produced in a single process step with other plastic parts described below by injection molding.
Die Krampen 12 weisen eine L-Form auf und es ist vorgesehen, diese aus dem Blech der Basisplatte 3 bzw. Abdeckplatte 6 freizustanzen, um 90° aus der Ebene nach innen hochzubiegen und sodann eine weitere Biegung um 90° nach innen vorzunehmen, so daß ein in den späteren Innenraum der Kontaktiereinheit 1 ragender freier Schenkel parallel zur Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 an den Krampen 12 vorhanden ist, der eine besonders günstige Halterung für eine weiter unten beschriebene Kunststoffumspritzung der Krampen 12 darstellt. Zahl und Anordnung der Krampen 12 an der Basis- und Abdeckplatte 3, 6 sind aufeinander in dem Sinne abgestimmt, ein möglichst torsionssteifes Gehäuse zu erzielen, wobei es sich als zweckmäßig erwiesen hat, an der Abdeckplatte 6 eine Vielzahl von Krampen 12 vorzusehen, während an der Basisplatte 3 das die untere Einschubführung 5a bildende Kunststoffprofilteil 18 mit Krampen 12 an der Stirnseite 15 und mit Haken 17 gehalten ist. Die Haken 17 sind ebenfalls aus dem Blechmaterial der Basisplatte 3 herausgestanzt und hochgebogen sowie L-förmig nach innen gebogen. Grundsätzlich ist es auch möglich, anstelle der aus dem Material der Basis- und Abdeckplatte herausgestanzten und gebogenen Krampen 12 und Haken 17 separate Halteelemente zu verwenden, die dann mit den Gehäuseschalen mechanisch verbunden werden müssen.The staples 12 have an L-shape and it is intended to punch them out of the sheet metal of the base plate 3 or cover plate 6, to bend them upwards by 90 ° out of the plane and then to make a further bend inwards by 90 °, so that a free leg projecting into the later interior of the contacting unit 1 parallel to the base plate 3 and cover plate 6 on the clamps 12 is present, which represents a particularly favorable holder for a plastic encapsulation of the clamps 12 described below. The number and arrangement of the staples 12 on the base and cover plate 3, 6 are coordinated with one another in the sense of achieving a torsionally rigid housing, it having proven to be expedient to provide a plurality of staples 12 on the cover plate 6 while on the base plate 3, the plastic insert part 18 forming the lower slide-in guide 5a is held with cramps 12 on the end face 15 and with hooks 17. The hooks 17 are also punched out of the sheet material of the base plate 3 and bent up and bent inward in an L-shape. In principle, it is also possible to use separate holding elements instead of the cramps 12 and hooks 17 punched out and bent out of the material of the base and cover plate, which then have to be mechanically connected to the housing shells.
Fig. 2 zeigt weiterhin die für die innere Bestückung der Kontaktiereinheit 1 verwendeten Kunststoffprofile, die allerdings in der bevorzugten Ausführungsform nicht separat hergestellt und in das Gehäuse eingesetzt werden, sondern im Verbund mit den korrespondierenden Metallteilen des Gehäuses in einem einzigen Verfahrensschritt im Spritzgießverfahren hergestellt werden. Im in Einschubrichtung vorderen Bereich der Basisplatte 3 sind zur Halterung der Steckverbinderleiste 4 Kunststoffhalter 19, 20 vorgesehen, die gleichzeitig als Axialanschläge zur Begrenzung des Einschubs der Chipkarte 9 mit entsprechend gerundeten Anschlagflächen 24 ausgebildet sind.Fig. 2 also shows the plastic profiles used for the internal assembly of the contacting unit 1, which, however, in the preferred embodiment are not manufactured separately and inserted into the housing, but are produced in a single process step in an injection molding process in conjunction with the corresponding metal parts of the housing. In the front area of the base plate 3 in the direction of insertion, plastic holders 19, 20 are provided for holding the connector strip 4, which are simultaneously designed as axial stops for limiting the insertion of the chip card 9 with correspondingly rounded stop surfaces 24.
Die Kunststoffhalter 19 korrespondieren mit entsprechend geformten Haltern 25, 26 an den freien Enden eines zur Abdeckplatte 6 gehörenden U-förmigen Kunststoffrahmens 27, der an seiner geschlossenen Seite eine als die obere Einschubführung 5 ausgebildete Leiste 28 aufweist, die mit einer plattformartigen Einsenkung 21 zur Befestigung einer Metalleiste 22 versehen ist. Die Längsschenkel des Kunststoffrahmens 27 weisen eine nach innen offene Führung in Form einer Abstufung 29 für die Erfassung und Halterung der Leiterplatte 7 auf, die durch den Kunststoffrahmen 27 in zusammengebautem Zustand fixiert wird, wobei die Halter 25, 26 gemeinsam mit den Kunststoffhaltern 19, 20 der Fixierung der mit der Leiterplatte 7 verbundenen Steckverbinderleiste 4 dienen. Die in den Fig. 2 und 3 dargestellten Kunststoffelemente sind ferner mit verschiedenen der Positionierung dienenden Positioniervorsprüngen und -ausnehmungen 30 versehen.The plastic holders 19 correspond to correspondingly shaped holders 25, 26 at the free ends of a U-shaped plastic frame 27 belonging to the cover plate 6, which on its closed side is one as the upper one Insert guide 5 has formed bar 28, which is provided with a platform-like depression 21 for fastening a metal bar 22. The longitudinal legs of the plastic frame 27 have an inward open guide in the form of a gradation 29 for the detection and holding of the printed circuit board 7, which is fixed in the assembled state by the plastic frame 27, the holders 25, 26 together with the plastic holders 19, 20 serve to fix the connector strip 4 connected to the printed circuit board 7. The plastic elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are also provided with various positioning projections and recesses 30 which serve for positioning.
Die daneben gezeichnete Leiterplatte 7 wird derart auf der Abdeckplatte 6 um 180 geklappt angeordnet, daß frontseitig die an der Steckverbinderleiste 4 seitlich erkennbaren Nocken 31 in die entsprechenden Ausnehmungen der Kunststoffhalter 25, 26 eingreifen und gegenüberliegend Massekontaktflächen 23 der Leiterplatte 7 bündig unter Klemmkontakte 32 der Matelleiste 22 geschoben werden. Die Basisplatte 3 wird 180° geklappt der Abdeckplatte 6 zugeordnet. Hierdurch wird der Einschubkanal 8 zwischen der Basisplatte 3 und der Abdeckplatte 6 mit der Leiterplatte 7 gebildet, der zur Einführung der Chipkarte 9 frei bleibt und die Kontaktierung des Chipfeldes 11 über das Kontaktfeld 11' mit der PCMCIA-Karte ermöglicht.The circuit board 7 drawn next to it is arranged on the cover plate 6 such that it is folded by 180 so that on the front side the cams 31 which can be seen laterally on the connector strip 4 engage in the corresponding recesses in the plastic holders 25, 26 and on the opposite side ground contact surfaces 23 of the circuit board 7 are flush with clamping contacts 32 of the mat strip 22 can be pushed. The base plate 3 is folded 180 ° assigned to the cover plate 6. As a result, the insertion channel 8 is formed between the base plate 3 and the cover plate 6 with the printed circuit board 7, which remains free for the insertion of the chip card 9 and enables the chip field 11 to be contacted via the contact field 11 'with the PCMCIA card.
Die Basisplatte 3 und die Leiterplatte 7 in den Fig. 2 und 3 sind nicht in der Montageposition dargestellt, sondern vielmehr um 180° aufgeklappt, um den Blick ins Innere zu ermöglichen. Es ist erkennbar, daß der Abdeckplatte 6 der U-förmige Kunststoffrahmen 27 zugeordnet ist, der durch die entsprechenden Krampen 12 auf der Abdeckplatte 6 gehalten ist und auf den nach Montage mit der Leiterplatte 7 die in der beschriebenen Weise vorbereitete Basisplatte 3 aufgesetzt wird.The base plate 3 and the circuit board 7 in FIGS. 2 and 3 are not shown in the assembly position, but rather are opened by 180 ° in order to allow a view into the interior. It can be seen that the cover plate 6 is assigned to the U-shaped plastic frame 27, which is held on the cover plate 6 by the corresponding clamps 12 and onto which the base plate 3 prepared in the manner described is placed after assembly with the printed circuit board 7.
Darüber hinaus zeigt Fig. 3 im Unterschied zu Fig. 2 bereits die korrekte Anordnung der Kunststoffelemente auf der Basisplatte 3 bzw. Abdeckplatte 6, wobei erkennbar ist, daß die Krampen 12 nicht mehr zu sehen sind. Dies beruht auf dem bevorzugt bei der Herstellung der Kontaktiereinheit 1 benutzten Herstellungsverfahren, bei dem die äußeren Gehäuseschalen in Form der Basisplatte 3 und der Abdeckplatte 6 als separat handhabbare, nicht miteinander verbundene Blechteile gestanzt werden, wobei gleichzeitig die Krampen 12 und Haken 17 freigestanzt und einwärts gebogen werden; die Basisplatte 3 bzw. die Abdeckplatte 6 in einem zweiten Verfahrensschritt separat mit den Kunststoffhaltern 19, 20 und dem Kunststoffprofilteil 18 einerseits bzw. dem Kunststoffrahmen 27 andererseits durch einen Spritzgießvorgang in Form einer Verbundeinheit versehen werden; die Leiterplatte 7 mit ihrer Steckverbinderleiste 4 sodann von oben 180° geklappt auf die Abdeckplatte 6 aufgesetzt und an der Metalleiste 22 und den Kunststoffhaltern 25, 26 positioniert wird und in einem abschließenden Verfahrensschritt die derart vormontierten Gehäuseschalen mit innenliegenden Kunststoffelementen aufeinander angeordnet und durch eine Kunststoffverbindungstechnik, beispielsweise Kleben oder Ultraschallschweißen, miteinander verbunden werden.Furthermore, in contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 already shows the correct arrangement of the plastic elements on the base plate 3 or cover plate 6, whereby it can be seen that the cramps 12 can no longer be seen. This is based on the production method preferably used in the production of the contacting unit 1, in which the outer housing shells in the form of the base plate 3 and the cover plate 6 are punched out as sheet metal parts which can be handled separately and are not connected to one another, the cramps 12 and Hook 17 punched out and bent inwards; the base plate 3 or the cover plate 6 are provided separately in a second process step with the plastic holders 19, 20 and the plastic profile part 18 on the one hand or the plastic frame 27 on the other hand by an injection molding process in the form of a composite unit; the printed circuit board 7 with its connector strip 4 is then folded onto the cover plate 6 from above and positioned on the metal strip 22 and the plastic holders 25, 26 and in a final process step the housing shells, which have been pre-assembled in this way, are arranged on one another with internal plastic elements and by means of a plastic connection technology, for example gluing or ultrasonic welding.
Die Fig. 3a und 3b zeigen die Montage der Metalleiste 22 einerseits mit der oberen Einschubführung 5 und andererseits mit der Leiterplatte 7. Die klammerartigen Klemmkontakte 32 der Metalleiste 22 werden auf den Massekontaktflächen 23 der Leiterplatte 7 arretiert. Dadurch greifen einstückig an der Metalieiste 22 ausgebildete Federelemente 33 in Aussparungen 34 der Leiterplatte 7 ein, wie insbesondere Fig. 3b zu entnehmen ist. Die Metalleiste 22 ist zudem mit Bohrungen 35 und Massekontaktfedern 36 versehen. Die Bohrungen 35 wirken mit korrespondierend ausgebildeten Zapfen 37 auf der Einsenkung 21 der Leiste 28 zusammen, wodurch die Metalleiste 22 und damit die über die Klemmkontakte 32 mit der Metalleiste 22 verbundene Leiterplatte 7 auf der Abdeckplatte 6 zentriert wird. Durch anschließendes Ultraschallschweißen wird die Metalleiste 22 fixiert.3a and 3b show the assembly of the metal strip 22 on the one hand with the upper slide-in guide 5 and on the other hand with the circuit board 7. The clamp-like clamping contacts 32 of the metal strip 22 are locked on the ground contact surfaces 23 of the circuit board 7. As a result, spring elements 33 formed in one piece on the metal strip 22 engage in recesses 34 in the printed circuit board 7, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3b. The metal strip 22 is also provided with bores 35 and ground contact springs 36. The bores 35 cooperate with correspondingly formed pins 37 on the depression 21 of the strip 28, as a result of which the metal strip 22 and thus the printed circuit board 7 connected to the metal strip 22 via the clamping contacts 32 are centered on the cover plate 6. The metal strip 22 is fixed by subsequent ultrasonic welding.
Den Fig. 4 und 4a ist die Funktionsweise der einstückig mit der Metalleiste 22 ausgebildeten Federelemente 33 zu entnehmen. Fig. 4 zeigt die Kontaktiereinheit 1 bei nicht eingeschobener Chipkarte 9, während in Fig. 4a zu erkennen ist, daß die Chipkarte 9 bis zu einem Endschalter mit Anschlagwinkel 38 in den Einschubkanal 8 eingeschoben ist, wobei das Chipfeld 11 der Chipkarte 9 an dem Kontaktfeld 11' der Leiterplatte 7 zu liegen kommt. Das Federelement 33 weist eine im wesentlichen S-förmige Gestalt auf und ist an seinem freien Ende mit einem krallenförmigen Fortsatz 39 versehen, der bei nicht eingeschobener Chipkarte 9 in ein als Ausnehmung in der Verstärkungsplatte 16 ausgebildetes Rastelement 40 unter Vorspannung eingreift. In Fig. 4a ist erkennbar, daß das Rastelement 40 eine Hinterschneidung aufweist, die sicherstellt, daß das Federelement 33 arretiert wird. Die Abdeckplatte 6 und die Basisplatte 3 sind durch die Kunststoffhalter 19, 20, 25, 26 derart miteinander verbunden, daß sie einer klammerartigen Kraft unterliegen. Durch das Federelement 33 wird sichergestellt, daß die Höhe des Einschubkanals 8 unverändert bleibt, wodurch sich ein einfaches Einführen der Chipkarte 9 erreichen läßt. Wird die Chipkarte 9 in den Einschubkanal 8 eingeführt, so drückt die in Einschubrichtung vordere Stirnseite der Chipkarte 9 das Federelement 33 in Richtung der Abdeckplatte, wobei das Federelement 33 durch die Aussparung 34 in der Leiterplatte 7 an die metallene Abdeckplatte 6 gedrückt wird. Dadurch läßt sich die Chipkarte 9 bis zum Endschalter 38 in den Einschubkanal 8 einführen und wird aufgrund der der Basis- und Abdeckplatte 3, 6 immanenten Eigenspannung klemmend arretiert. Zusätzlich drückt das Federelement 33 auf die Chipkarte 9, so daß eine sichere Kontaktierung von Chipfeld 11 und Kontaktfeld 11' gewährleistet sind. Beim Herausziehen der Chipkarte 9 aus dem Einschubkanal 8 schwenkt das Federelement 33 wieder in das Rastelement 40, wodurch gleichzeitig auch eine Masseverbindung zwischen Metalleiste 22 respektive Abdeckplatte 6 und Basisplatte 3 hergestellt wird.4 and 4a show the mode of operation of the spring elements 33 formed in one piece with the metal strip 22. Fig. 4 shows the contacting unit 1 when the chip card 9 is not inserted, while in Fig. 4a it can be seen that the chip card 9 is inserted up to a limit switch with stop angle 38 in the insertion channel 8, the chip field 11 of the chip card 9 on the contact field 11 'of the circuit board 7 comes to rest. The spring element 33 has an essentially S-shaped shape and is provided at its free end with a claw-shaped extension 39 which, when the chip card 9 is not inserted, engages under pretension in a latching element 40 designed as a recess in the reinforcing plate 16. In Fig. 4a it can be seen that the locking element 40 has an undercut, which ensures that the spring element 33 is locked. The cover plate 6 and the base plate 3 are connected by the plastic holder 19, 20, 25, 26 in such a way that they are subject to a clamp-like force. The spring element 33 ensures that the height of the insertion channel 8 remains unchanged, as a result of which the chip card 9 can be easily inserted. If the chip card 9 is inserted into the insertion channel 8, the front end of the chip card 9 in the insertion direction presses the spring element 33 in the direction of the cover plate, the spring element 33 being pressed against the metal cover plate 6 by the recess 34 in the printed circuit board 7. As a result, the chip card 9 can be inserted into the insertion channel 8 up to the limit switch 38 and is locked in a clamping manner due to the inherent tension inherent in the base and cover plates 3, 6. In addition, the spring element 33 presses on the chip card 9, so that reliable contacting of the chip field 11 and contact field 11 'is ensured. When the chip card 9 is pulled out of the insertion channel 8, the spring element 33 pivots again into the latching element 40, as a result of which a ground connection between the metal strip 22 or cover plate 6 and base plate 3 is simultaneously established.
Die in den Fig. 5 bis 7a gezeigte alternative Ausführungsform der Kontaktiereinheit 1 weist im sich in Einschubrichtung an den Einschubkanal 8 anschließenden Bereich an Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 zusätzlich Schweißlaschen 41 auf, durch die Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 miteinander verbunden werden und die klammerartige Eigenspannung der Kontaktiereinheit 1 erzielt wird. Im Unterschied zur Ausführungsform gemäß den Fig. 2 bis 4a ist die Metalleiste 22 ohne das Federelement 33 ausgebildet, so daß bei entfernter Chipkarte 9 sich der Einschubkanal 8 der Kontaktiereinheit 1 von den gleichzeitig als Schwenkachse dienenden Schweißlaschen 41 aus in Richtung der oberen und unteren Einschubführung 5, 5a hin verjüngt. Bei Einschieben der Chipkarte 9 wird der Einschubkanal 8 unter Erzeugung einer Rückstellkraft aufgeweitet, wodurch die Chipkarte 9 klemmend im Einschubkanal 8 gehalten wird. Um ein Verschweißen der Schweißlaschen 41 zu ermöglichen, ohne die breiten Abmaße der PCMCIA- Norm zu verletzen, sind die Schweißlaschen 41 an der Abdeckplatte 6 gekröpft ausgebildet. Zusätzlich können in bekannter Weise die Kunststoffhalter 19, 20, 25 und 26 miteinander verschweißt sein.The alternative embodiment of the contacting unit 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7a additionally has welding tabs 41 in the region adjoining the insertion channel 8 on the base plate 3 and cover plate 6, by means of which base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are connected to one another and the clamp-like internal stress the contacting unit 1 is achieved. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4a, the metal strip 22 is designed without the spring element 33, so that when the chip card 9 is removed, the insertion channel 8 of the contacting unit 1 extends from the welding tabs 41, which also serve as the pivot axis, in the direction of the upper and lower insertion guides 5, 5a tapered. When the chip card 9 is inserted, the insertion channel 8 is expanded to generate a restoring force, as a result of which the chip card 9 is held in the insertion channel 8 in a clamping manner. In order to allow welding of the welding tabs 41 without violating the wide dimensions of the PCMCIA standard, the welding tabs 41 are cranked on the cover plate 6. In addition, the plastic holder 19, 20, 25 and 26 can be welded together in a known manner.
Die Fig. 2 und 5 lassen erkennen, daß die Verstärkungsplatte 16 mit einer Isolierfolie oder -element 42 versehen sein kann, welches insbesondere zum Tragen kommt, wenn die Verstärkungsplatte 16 aus Metall gefertigt wird, so daß ein Kurzschluß zwischen dem gegenüberliegend angeordneten Kontaktfeld 11' der Leiterplatte 7 und der Verstärkungsplatte 16 ausgeschlossen werden kann. Darüber hinaus kann auf der Unterseite der Leiterplatte 7 eine verschleißfeste Isolierfolie aufgebracht sein, die Abrieb der Chipkarte 9 verhindert und gleichzeitig die Leiterbahnen und Durchkontaktierungen der Leiterplatte 7 auf der dem Einschubkanal 8 zugewandten Seite isoliert. In Fig. 2 ist außerdem zu erkennen, daß das Rastelement 40 auch als separates Bauteil ausgebildet sein kann, das in Ausnehmungen der Verstärkungsplatte 16 eingepreßt wird. Dies stellt eine besonders einfache und kostengünstige Fertigung dar. Um ein einfaches Einführen der Chipkarte 9 in den Einschubkanal 8 zu erzielen, kann zudem die untere Einschubführung 5a bezüglich der oberen Einschubführung 5 in Einschubrichtung der Chipkarte 9 voreilend in Form einer Unterlippe ausgebildet sein.2 and 5 show that the reinforcing plate 16 can be provided with an insulating film or element 42, which in particular for It comes into play when the reinforcing plate 16 is made of metal, so that a short circuit between the oppositely arranged contact field 11 'of the printed circuit board 7 and the reinforcing plate 16 can be excluded. In addition, a wear-resistant insulating film can be applied to the underside of the circuit board 7, which prevents abrasion of the chip card 9 and at the same time insulates the conductor tracks and plated-through holes of the circuit board 7 on the side facing the insertion channel 8. In Fig. 2 it can also be seen that the latching element 40 can also be formed as a separate component which is pressed into recesses in the reinforcing plate 16. This represents a particularly simple and inexpensive production. In order to achieve a simple insertion of the chip card 9 into the insertion channel 8, the lower insertion guide 5a can also be designed in the form of a lower lip with respect to the upper insertion guide 5 in the insertion direction of the chip card 9.
Mit der zuvor beschriebenen Kontaktiereinheit 1 ist ein Chipkartenleser geschaffen, der bei nicht eingesteckter Chipkarte exakt den PCMCIA-Abmaßen entspricht und der eine sichere Kontaktierung und hinreichende mechanische Stabilität aufweist. Die Sicherheit wird zudem dadurch erhöht, daß Abdeckplatte 6 und Basisplatte 3 deckungsgleich ausgebildet sind, so daß beim Einsetzen in den PCMCIA-Schlitz eines Computers Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 in den seitlichen Führungsnuten des PCMCIA-Schlitzes geführt werden. Dies verhindert, daß die Abdeckplatte 6 relativ zur Basisplatte 3 nach oben oder nach unten in einen angrenzenden PCMCIA-Schlitz des Computers gewaltsam gebogen werden kann. Durch die metallene Ausbildung von Basisplatte 3 und Abdeckplatte 6 ist darüber hinaus eine Abschirmung und eine hohe Funktions- und Formstabilität der Kontaktiereinheit 1 auch bei hohen Stau- und Umgebungstemperaturen oberhalb von 100°C gewährleistet. Nicht zuletzt zeichnet sich die Kontaktiereinheit 1 auch durch eine einfache und kostengünstige Herstellung aus. BezugszeichenlisteWith the contacting unit 1 described above, a chip card reader is created which, when the chip card is not inserted, corresponds exactly to the PCMCIA dimensions and has reliable contact and sufficient mechanical stability. Security is also increased in that cover plate 6 and base plate 3 are congruent so that when inserted into the PCMCIA slot of a computer base plate 3 and cover plate 6 are guided in the lateral guide grooves of the PCMCIA slot. This prevents the cover plate 6 from being forcibly bent up or down relative to the base plate 3 into an adjacent PCMCIA slot of the computer. The metal design of the base plate 3 and cover plate 6 also ensures that the contacting unit 1 is shielded and has a high degree of functional and dimensional stability even at high accumulation and ambient temperatures above 100.degree. Last but not least, the contacting unit 1 is also characterized by simple and inexpensive manufacture. Reference list
1 Kontaktiereinheit 32 Klemmkontakt1 contact unit 32 terminal contact
2 Außengehäuse 33 Federelement2 outer housing 33 spring element
3 Basisplatte 34 Aussparung3 base plate 34 recess
4 Steckverbinderleiste 35 Bohrung4 connector strip 35 hole
5 obere Einschubführung 36 Massekontaktfeder5 upper slide-in guide 36 ground contact spring
5a untere Einschubführung 37 Zapfen5a lower slide-in guide 37 pins
6 Abdeckplatte 38 Endschalter6 cover plate 38 limit switch
7 PCMCIA-Leiterplatte 39 Fortsatz7 PCMCIA circuit board 39 extension
8 Einschubkanal 40 Rastelement8 insertion channel 40 locking element
9 Chipkarte 41 Schweißlasche9 Chip card 41 welding strap
10 Einschubschlitz 42 Isolierelement10 insertion slot 42 insulating element
11 Chipfeld11 chip field
11' Kontaktfeld11 'Contact field
12 Krampen12 staples
13 Längsseite13 long side
14 Längsseite14 long side
15 Stirnseite15 end face
16 Verstärkungsplatte16 reinforcement plate
17 Haken17 hooks
18 Kunststoff profilteil18 plastic profile part
19 Kunststoffhalter19 plastic holder
20 Kunststoffhalter20 plastic holders
21 Einsenkung21 depression
22 Metalleiste22 metal bar
23 Massekontakt23 ground contact
24 Anschlagflächen24 stop faces
25 Kunststoffhalter25 plastic holders
26 Kunststoffhalter26 plastic holder
27 Kunststoffhalter27 plastic holder
28 Leiste28 bar
29 Abstufung29 gradation
30 Positioniervorsprung/-ausnehmung30 positioning projection / recess
31 Nocken 31 cams

Claims

A n s p r ü c h e Expectations
1. Kontaktiereinheit für ein kartenförmiges Trägerelement elektronischer Baugruppen, insbesondere nach PCMCIA-Norm, mit einem steckkartenförmigen Gehäuse (2), das eine Basisplatte (3) und eine zumindest in Querrichtung deckungsgleiche Abdeckplatte (6) aufweist, zwischen denen ein an einer Stirnseite des Gehäuses (2) mündender, schlitzartiger Einschubkanal (8) für die Aufnahme einer Chipkarte (9) ausgebildet ist, und das an der dieser gegenüberliegenden Stirnseite mit einer Steckverbinderleiste (4) versehen ist, und mit einer parallel zum Einschubkanal (8) im Gehäuse (2) angeordneten Leiterplatte (7), die elektrisch mit der Steckverbinderleiste (4) verbunden und an ihrer Oberfläche mit einem Kontaktfeld (11') für die Kontaktierung der Chipkarte (9) versehen ist, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß der Einschubkanal (8) über seine gesamte Länge in Einschubrichtung der Chipkarte (9) beidseitig durchgehend offen ist, und daß die Basisplatte1. Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies, in particular according to the PCMCIA standard, with a plug-in card-shaped housing (2) which has a base plate (3) and a cover plate (6) which is at least congruent in the transverse direction, between which one is located on an end face of the housing (2) opening, slot-like insertion channel (8) for receiving a chip card (9), and which is provided on the opposite side with a connector strip (4), and one parallel to the insertion channel (8) in the housing (2 ) arranged circuit board (7), which is electrically connected to the connector strip (4) and is provided on its surface with a contact field (11 ') for contacting the chip card (9), characterized in that the insertion channel (8) over its entire length is continuously open on both sides in the direction of insertion of the chip card (9), and that the base plate
(3) und die Abdeckplatte (6) ausschließlich im sich in Einschubrichtung an den Einschubkanal (8) anschließenden Bereich fest miteinander verbunden sind.(3) and the cover plate (6) are only firmly connected to one another in the area adjoining the insertion channel (8) in the insertion direction.
2. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verbindung von Basisplatte (3) und Abdeckplatte (6) im sich in Einschubrichtung an den Einschubkanal (8) anschließenden Bereich zugleich eine Schwenkachse darstellt, bezüglich der die Basisplatte (3) und die Abdeckplatte (6) in einem geringen Maße relativ zueinander derart verschwenkbar sind, daß die Höhe des Einschubkanals (8) gegen die Wirkung einer Rückstell kraft veränderbar ist.2. Contact unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection of the base plate (3) and cover plate (6) in the insertion direction of the insertion channel (8) adjoining area also represents a pivot axis with respect to which the base plate (3) and the cover plate (6) can be pivoted relative to one another to a small extent such that the height of the insertion channel (8) can be changed against the action of a restoring force.
3. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Höhe des Einschubkanals (8) mit zunehmendem Abstand von der Verbindung bei entfernter Chipkarte (9) verringert.3. Contact unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the height of the insertion channel (8) decreases with increasing distance from the connection when the chip card (9) is removed.
4. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Leiterplatte (7) an ihrem der Steckverbinderleiste (4) gegenüberliegenden Ende mit einer die Leiterplatte (7) im Gehäuse (2) festlegenden Metalleiste (22) verbunden ist, die federnd abstehende Lappen (36) aufweist, welche an der metallenen Abdeckplatte (6) elektrisch leitend anliegen.4. Contact unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the printed circuit board (7) at its end opposite the connector strip (4) with one of the printed circuit board (7) in the housing (2) defining metal strip (22) is connected, which has resiliently projecting tabs (36) which rest on the metal cover plate (6) in an electrically conductive manner.
5. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Metalleiste (22) an einem mit der Abdeckplatte (6) verbundenen, eine obere Einschubführung (5) für die Chipkarte (9) bildenden Kunststoffprofil (18) angeordnet ist.5. Contact unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the metal strip (22) on one with the cover plate (6) connected, an upper insertion guide (5) for the chip card (9) forming plastic profile (18) is arranged.
6. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß im Einschubkanal (8) zumindest ein Federelement (33) vorgesehen ist, dessen eines Ende fest mit der Abdeckplatte (6) verbunden und dessen anderes, freies Ende lösbar an der Basisplatte (3) festlegbar ist.6. Contacting unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the insertion channel (8) at least one spring element (33) is provided, one end of which is fixed to the cover plate (6) and the other, free end releasably on the base plate (3) can be determined.
7. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Federelement (33) einstückig mit der Metalieiste (22) gefertigt ist und sich bei eingeschobener Chipkarte (9) durch Aussparungen (34) der Leiterplatte (7) hindurch bis zur Abdeckplatte (6) erstreckt.7. Contact unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring element (33) is made in one piece with the metal strip (22) and when inserted chip card (9) through recesses (34) of the circuit board (7) through to the cover plate (6) extends.
8. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Federelement (33) annähernd S-förmig ausgebildet und an seinem freien Ende mit einem krallenförmigen Fortsatz (39) versehen ist, der zum Festlegen des Federelements (33) in eine korrespondierend ausgebildetes Rastelement (40) eingreift.8. Contacting unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the spring element (33) is approximately S-shaped and is provided at its free end with a claw-shaped extension (39) which for fixing the spring element (33) in a correspondingly designed Locking element (40) engages.
9. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Rastelement (40) mit einer Hinterschneidung versehen ist.9. Contact unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the latching element (40) is provided with an undercut.
10. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Rastelement (40) in einer aus Kunststoff oder Metall bestehenden, mit der Basisplatte (3) verbundenen Verstärkungsplatte (16) ausgebildet ist.10. Contact unit according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the latching element (40) in an existing plastic or metal, with the base plate (3) connected to the reinforcing plate (16) is formed.
11. Kontaktiereinheit nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Rastelement (40) als separates Bauteil in die Verstärkungsplatte (16) eingesetzt oder als Ausnehmung in der zumindest einlagigen Verstärkungsplatte (16) ausgebildet ist. 11. Contact unit according to claim 10, characterized in that the latching element (40) is used as a separate component in the reinforcing plate (16) or is formed as a recess in the at least single-layer reinforcing plate (16).
12. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Basisplatte (3) an ihrem der Steckverbinderleiste (4) gegenüberliegenden Ende mit einem als eine untere Einschubführung (5a) dienenden Kunststoffprofil (18) versehen ist.12. Contacting unit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the base plate (3) at its the connector strip (4) opposite end with a lower insert guide (5a) serving plastic profile (18) is provided.
13. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Basisplatte (3) und die Abdeckplatte (6) an der Steckverbinderleiste (4) zu deren Erfassung jeweils mit randseitig angeordneten Kunststoff haltern (19, 20, 25, 26) versehen sind, die durch eine Kunststoffverbindung wie Kleben, Ultraschallschweißen oder Heißverpressen, fest miteinander verbindbar sind.13. Contacting unit according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base plate (3) and the cover plate (6) on the connector strip (4) for their detection each with edge-mounted plastic holders (19, 20, 25, 26) are provided, which are firmly connected to each other by a plastic connection such as gluing, ultrasonic welding or hot pressing.
14. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Basisplatte (3) und die Abdeckplatte (6) deckungsgleich und an seitlichen Schweißlaschen (41 ) miteinander verschweißt sind.14. Contacting unit according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the base plate (3) and the cover plate (6) are congruent and are welded to one another on side welding tabs (41).
15. Kontaktiereinheit nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Endschalter (38) mit Anschlagwinkel zur Begrenzung der Einschubbewegung der Chipkarte (9) vorgesehen ist. 15. Contacting unit according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a limit switch (38) with a stop angle to limit the insertion movement of the chip card (9) is provided.
EP99925031A 1998-06-29 1999-05-25 Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to pcmcia standards Expired - Lifetime EP1008280B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE29811425U DE29811425U1 (en) 1998-06-29 1998-06-29 Contact unit for a card-shaped carrier element of electronic assemblies, in particular according to the PCMCIA standard
DE29811425U 1998-06-29
PCT/EP1999/003560 WO2000001210A1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-05-25 Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to pcmcia standards

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1008280A1 true EP1008280A1 (en) 2000-06-14
EP1008280B1 EP1008280B1 (en) 2004-06-09

Family

ID=8059070

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99925031A Expired - Lifetime EP1008280B1 (en) 1998-06-29 1999-05-25 Contacting unit for a card-shaped carrying element of electronic modules, especially according to pcmcia standards

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6276944B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1008280B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002519796A (en)
AU (1) AU4146099A (en)
DE (2) DE29811425U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2221387T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2000001210A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4146099A (en) 2000-01-17
DE29811425U1 (en) 1998-09-17
EP1008280B1 (en) 2004-06-09
WO2000001210A1 (en) 2000-01-06
US6276944B1 (en) 2001-08-21
DE59909683D1 (en) 2004-07-15
ES2221387T3 (en) 2004-12-16
JP2002519796A (en) 2002-07-02

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